BUFR vs. VIRT

Last updated Jul 26, 2026

BUFR (FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF) is Defined Outcome fund actively managed by First Trust, while VIRT (Virtu Financial, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 5 years, BUFR returned 9.55%/yr vs 23.17%/yr for VIRT. Their 0.27 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

BUFR vs. VIRT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BUFR achieves a 6.48% return, which is significantly lower than VIRT's 81.20% return.

BUFR

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.77%
• 6M: 5.68%
• YTD: 6.48%
• 1Y: 12.42%
• 3Y*: 12.65%
• 5Y*: 9.55%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.49%

VIRT

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -2.15%
• 6M: 62.47%
• YTD: 81.20%
• 1Y: 38.30%
• 3Y*: 52.81%
• 5Y*: 23.17%
• 10Y*: 18.05%
• ALL TIME*: 13.40%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	$41.80M	$42.66M	$45.08M
VIRT Virtu Financial, Inc.	$75.83M	$74.91M	$74.80M

BUFR vs. VIRT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	6.48%	12.44%	14.68%	19.63%	-7.57%	11.88%	6.60%
VIRT Virtu Financial, Inc.	81.20%	-4.24%	83.03%	4.61%	-26.51%	18.58%	17.28%

Correlation

The correlation between BUFR and VIRT is 0.15, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 11, 2020	0.27

The correlation between BUFR and VIRT shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (1 year) to 0.30 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BUFR vs. VIRT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BUFR

BUFR Risk / Return Rank: 84
BUFR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFR Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
BUFR Omega Ratio Rank: 86
BUFR Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
BUFR Martin Ratio Rank: 90

VIRT

VIRT Risk / Return Rank: 76
VIRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VIRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VIRT Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VIRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VIRT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BUFR vs. VIRT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) and Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BUFR	VIRT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.92	1.24	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.78	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.22	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	1.46	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.53	2.68	+11.85

BUFR vs. VIRT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BUFR Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is higher than the VIRT Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BUFR and VIRT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BUFR vs. VIRT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BUFR drawdown since its inception was -13.73%, smaller than the maximum VIRT drawdown of -56.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BUFR and VIRT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BUFR	VIRT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.73%	-56.17%	+42.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.61%	-27.30%	+22.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.81%	-27.83%	+15.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.73%	-54.52%	+40.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-56.17%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-10.60%	+9.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.05%	-25.46%	+23.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	14.83%	-13.95%

Volatility

BUFR vs. VIRT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF (BUFR) is 1.58%, while Virtu Financial, Inc. (VIRT) has a volatility of 14.15%. This indicates that BUFR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIRT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BUFR	VIRT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.58%	14.15%	-12.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.26%	27.24%	-21.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.66%	32.11%	-25.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.47%	32.78%	-22.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.16%	36.06%	-25.90%

Dividends

BUFR vs. VIRT - Dividend Comparison

BUFR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VIRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BUFR FT Vest Laddered Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VIRT Virtu Financial, Inc.	1.61%	2.88%	2.69%	4.74%	4.70%	3.33%	3.81%	6.00%	3.73%	5.25%	6.02%	2.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BUFR and VIRT in my portfolio?

BUFR and VIRT have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BUFR or VIRT?

VIRT has higher volatility (14.15%) compared to BUFR (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BUFR dropped -13.73% vs VIRT's -56.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.92 vs 1.24), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.